Pastors

Pastor Dean Mellen

Associate Pastor Mark Wesner

Mark and his wife, Lisa

Pastor Mark grew up in a Christian home, the oldest of 5 children. He was saved due to the faithfulness of a neighborhood mom, who held week-long Vacation Bible School in her basement every summer. In college, Pastor Mark’s Christian walk was sidetracked as he was deluded into believing he was “too smart” to believe in God because of his science “education,” He then returned to the Lord because the complex design of nature was too great to ignore (see Psalms 19). Mark has been married to his lovely bride, Lisa of 17 years, and is a step-father to her wonderful 18 and 21 year old daughters. Mark’s joy is to help believers fully develop their relationship with the Holy Spirit on a daily basis, in order to take full advantage of all God has planned for them. Mark’s passions include parenting education and the mission field.

Associate Pastor Steven Wood

Steven and his wife, Melissa

Pastor Steven Wood joined San Diego Bible Church in July of 2012 and is so glad to be a part of this amazing church. He graduated from San Diego State University in 2004 with a degree in elementary education and then went on and received his Masters Degree in 2008 from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary. He has served in the ministry since 2004 alongside his wife, Melissa. They both share a passion for serving the Lord in the church as well as being teachers in the San Diego Unified School District. Steve hopes to connect with you and to help you in your journey with the Lord.

Elders

Dwight Pataconi

Deacon Dwight’s areas of interest are serving men and children and providing practical service. With men, he is involved in a Wednesday study where the Bible is examined, verse-by-verse to see how it practically applies to the lives and the roles each man is living. He is also involved in a men’s ministry called Iron Men (Prov 27:17) to help men to grow into the roles God has called them to be in the family, church and work environments. Dwight believes that we can learn and grow together, as a Band of Brothers, on how to step up to the plate and honor our Lord every step of the way. Dwight continues and says, “I enjoy working with kids, and am involved with the 345 class currently during 2nd service, or wherever a need arises. In the practical service, we have Care & Concern ministry, helping those who can’t help themselves in the areas of house or car maintenance. Ultimately, I desire to use all God’s gifts He has given for His glory."

Eric Black

SDBC is a Family of families. For Elder Eric, faith started with the nuclear family. He, along with his wife, Lisa and two sons came to Christ together and have experienced His miracles individually and together as a family. Our true desire is that all will experience God individually and as a family and bring that to SDBC so the Family may be likewise blessed by those miracles.

Deacons

Chris Calhoun

Deacon Chris was born and raised in Georgia and been in San Diego for many years. He works as a shipping clerk for a bio-tech/pharma company and provides financial services in his spare time. He has been a member of SDBC for over four years and has a heart for prayer and hospitality. He dedicates his time and efforts to serving SDBC in many ways, especially as our prayer ministry leader. His passion is helping believers become prayer warriors for our Lord Jesus Christ.

Helen DuBouis

Deacon Helen grew up in a small Norwegian town near Seattle. She was blessed with a Christian mom who led her to the Lord as a young girl. She has two amazing children who love the Lord: a married daughter with two adorable children and a newly married son. Helen is passionate about children, particularly those in poverty or difficult circumstances here and around the world. Missions, teaching, mentoring, meeting needs and loving people of all ages is a very important part of who God created her to be. She has been part of SDBC since the beginning, has been involved in a variety of ministries and feels blessed to be part of such a loving congregation that puts God first. She loves boogy boarding and all water sports, hiking, reading, travel, and enjoying the life God has blessed her with.

Tim Marinone

Deacon Tim has only lived in San Diego for a year, but already loves it and calls it home. Hailing from the cold northeast, the only thing he enjoys more than the warm weather is the warmth he feels when he spends time with his church family at SDBC. Challenged by his college campus minister to go further than the cultural Christianity norm and use his life for glorifying God through worship, missions and discipleship; Tim serves his church family however he can, whether elementary Sunday school teaching, greeting everyone who comes through the door with a smile and a hug or even slapping the bass while musically worshiping. Tim works as a roller coaster test engineer (yes, it really is as cool as it sounds), and is always willing to offer a listening ear to others.

Jeremy Monahan

Deacon Jeremy was born and raised in San Diego. He has been married to Candy for almost 18 years. Together they have 5 wonderful children. Clarissa is in the US Army currently stationed in South Korea. Anthony is a Senior and Taden is a Junior, both at Mira Mesa High. Clayton just started 6 th grade at Wangenheim , and Cristiana is in 1st grade at Walker. When not at SDBC he can be found usually at home with his family and large extended family watching movies or sporting events. Deacon Jeremy is also known as Coach Jeremy as he coaches several different youth sports including football, lacrosse, and baseball. He enjoys mentoring youth and young adults and is never afraid to share his testimony; God-willing it may help save them from straying the wrong path one day.

Noah and Nancy Yates

Deacons Noah and Nancy have been married for 44 years having met at a church dance when Noah was stationed at North Island Naval Air Base. Noah is originally from Ohio and he is an avid astronomer, history buff, fossil collector, and cyclist. Nancy is a retired school teacher and spends her time tracing her family tree, scrapbooking, riding her bike or reading. They have three sons, two who are married, and the third one is set to marry in October 2013. Their latest joyful addition to their family is their first grandson, Kaelan, who is just over a year old. They enjoy reading and studying the Bible together and love to travel across the United States taking their bikes with them! They love hosting social events, whether it is a Host a Murder Dinner, game night, potlucks, or their weekly Bible Study Community Group. They love the warmth and fellowship at San Diego Bible Church and serve as Greeters to extend that fellowship to new guests as well as building relationships with everyone they meet.

David Lijewski

David and his wife, Citas have been married for 18 years and have two children, Charlene and Charles. Their passion for Christ is evident by their dedication to their bible studies and sharing their love for Christ with others. David loves ministering to others at San Diego Bible Church through the Men's' Ministry, Hospitality Greeter and Mission trips. He loves serving wherever and whenever God directs him.

Russell Paihinui

Born to two amazing parents who have gone home to be with the Lord. I have lived in San Diego since the age of 5 and enjoy all the amenities that San Diego has to offer such as cycling, hiking, fishing and roller blading. I also like taking long rides on my motorcycle. Being a musician since I was a youngster, it wasn't until I gave my life to Jesus that I realized I could use the gifts and talents God gave to glorify Him. I am Blessed and Honored to have been serving as the Worship Leader for SDBC from its beginnings in 2008. I long to reach the unreachable through music.